The London Police Services Board is demanding the right to withhold details of an independent audit of the force’s budget before city politicians see it.

The board agreed to a review of the force’s $93-million budget, as long as it’s restricted to three areas and the board “is provided the first right of review” before it goes to the city, board chairperson Michael Deeb said in a letter to the city.

The review has the potential to compromise police operations, he said in an interview.

“We reserve the right to withhold information” if the information compromises operations, by revealing how officers are deployed, for example, Deeb said.

“We want this to be transparent, but it makes sense to be debriefed and informed before we give it out to anyone.”

As for police withholding the review from the public, Deeb said, “I don’t see that scenario taking place.”

The board’s position is laid out in a report by city council’s audit committee going to council next month.

Coun. Matt Brown, chairperson of the audit committee, said he expects to see the whole audit when it’s completed.

“I expect them to share any and all information they need to with the community. It’s highly unlikely the police services board will withhold information except in cases where public safety is at risk. I expect all the information to be shared with council and the public.”

The review by PricewaterhouseCoopers will likely be done in the fall in time for the city budget deliberations in the new year.

Brown pushed for a review of all city boards and commissions about a year ago because of a pattern of budget increases much higher than those of city departments.

“This is good news,” Brown said. “It’s a challenging situation and I applaud the chief and the board for moving in this sustainable fiscal direction. It’s a positive first step.”

The audit will cost the city $70,000 to $90,000 and focus on record checks, special events and one area of the auditor’s choosing.

The audit may be expanded to more than three areas if more of a study is needed or wanted, Deeb said.

“I don’t think they will find ballooning budgets or money that is misspent. The whole purpose of this is to improve things.”

Payroll accounts for more than 90% of the police budget, giving the department little flexibility in cutting costs, Deeb said.

Council gave police a 3.8% budget hike this year — roughly $3.4 million — but the force is cutting six officer and five civilian staff positions to balance the books.